2012 World Copper Factbook

The World Copper Factbook 2012

International Copper Study Group i

About ICSG

The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) was formally established

as an autonomous inter-governmental organization on 23 January

1992, following a series of Ad Hoc meetings sponsored by the United

Nations (UNCTAD) in 1986 and 1987 to review the world situation of

copper and discuss the need for such a body. ICSG serves to increase

copper market transparency and promote international discussions

and cooperation on issues related to copper.

In order to fulfill its mandate, the Study Group has three main

objectives:

Increase market transparency by promoting an exchange of

information on production, consumption, stocks, trade, and prices

of copper, by forecasting production and consumption, and by

assessing the present and future capacities of copper mines,

plants, smelters and refineries.

Promote international cooperation on matters related to copper,

such as health and the environment, research, technology

transfer, regulations and trade.

Provide a global forum where industry and governments can meet

and discuss common problems/objectives. The ICSG is the only

inter-government forum solely dedicated to copper.

The current members of ICSG are:

Australia

Japan

Belgium

Luxembourg

Chile

Mexico

China

Peru

European Union

Poland

Finland

Portugal

France

Russian Federation

Germany

Serbia

Greece

Spain

India Sweden

Iran United States

Italy Zambia

As part of its mandate to provide a global forum where industry and

governments can meet and discuss common problems and objectives,

ICSG meetings are held twice per year, typically in the Spring and Fall

at ICSG Headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal. The meetings of the Study

Group are open to government members, their industry advisors and

invited observers.

http://flagspot.net/images/i/ir.gif


International Copper Study Group ii

ICSG Officers and Secretariat

INTERNATIONAL COPPER STUDY GROUP OFFICERS FOR 2012

Chairman

Mr Salim Bhabhrawala (U.S.A.)

Vice-Chairman Mr Andres Mac-Lean (Chile)

Vice-Chairman Mr Bian Gang (China)

STANDING COMMITTEE

Chairman Mr Henrique Santos (Portugal)

Vice-Chairman Mr Alfonso Martinez Vera (Mexico)

Finance Committee Chairman Mr Henrique Santos (Portugal)

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

Chairman Mrs Heli Kask (EU)

Vice-Chairman Mr Shakeel Ahmed (India)

Contacts:

International Copper Study Group

Rua Almirante Barroso, 38-6º

1000-013 Lisbon, Portugal

Tel: +351-21-351-3870

Fax: +351-21-352-4035

e-mail: [email protected]

website: www.icsg.org

STATISTICAL COMMITTEE

Chairman Mr Daniel Edelstein (U.S.A.)

Vice-Chairman Ms Marion Finney (Aurubis)

INDUSTRY ADVISORY PANEL

Chairman Mr Mark Loveitt (IWCC)

SECRETARIAT

Secretary-General Mr Don Smale

Chief Statistician Ms Ana Rebelo

Head of Environment and Economics Mr Carlos Risopatron

Statistical Analyst/Economist Ms Susanna Keung

Secretary Ms Fatima Cascalho

Acknowledgements and Copyright:

ICSG would like to thank the International Copper Association, the Copper

Development Association, the European Copper Institute, the U.S.

Geological Survey, the U.S. National Park Service, the British Museum and

Mr Luis Hernán Herreros Infante for their contributions to the Factbook.

The International Copper Study Group's World Copper Factbook © 2012 is

published by the ICSG.

mailto:[email protected]


International Copper Study Group iii

ICSG Publications

COPPER BULLETIN (monthly). The ICSG Copper Bulletin includes annual and monthly statistics on copper and copper products, their production, usage and trade by country, as well as stocks and exchange prices, providing a global view of supply and demand. Subscribers to the Copper Bulletin receive the Yearbook as part of their annual subscription.

ICSG 2011 STATISTICAL YEARBOOK (September 2011). The ICSG Copper Bulletin yearbook includes annual statistics on copper and copper products, their production, usage and trade by country, as well as stocks and exchange prices, providing a global view of supply and demand for the past 10 years. The Yearbook serves as a useful tool for consultations and analysis on the longer term evolution of world copper production, usage, stocks and prices. Subscribers to the Copper Bulletin receive the Yearbook as part of their annual subscription.

DIRECTORY OF COPPER MINES AND PLANTS (February 2012 edition). The Directory of Copper Mines and Plants highlights current capacity and provides a five year outlook of forecasted capacity for over 1,000 existing and planned copper mines, plants and refineries on a country by country basis, including separate tables for SX-EW plants. Salient details for each operation are included and the Directory separates operations between Operating & Developing and Exploration & Feasibility stages. The Directory is published twice per year.

ICSG GLOBAL COPPER SCRAP RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT (August 2010). Copper scrap generation, trade and use are playing a key role to balance the growth observed in recent years in the global copper market. This report presents a comprehensive picture of the global copper scrap market and its determinants, synthesizing the findings of ICSG research project on the copper and copper alloy scrap market.

COPPER SCRAP MARKET IN JAPAN (2009), CHINA’S SCRAP USAGE SURVEY (2009), DOMESTIC COPER SCRAP GENERATION IN CHINA, 2010-2015 (2009), CHINESE COPPER SCRAP MARKET (2009) and THE COPPER SCRAP MARKET IN INDIA (2009) The Japanese Report by MERI/J provides an overview of the Japanese refined copper and copper scrap markets and also covers Japanese copper scrap trade, material flows, how scrap is categorized and relevant regulations. The Chinese Reports, prepared by BGRIMM, give insights into scrap usage in China at the smelters/refineries and fabricators and forecast domestic scrap generation in China. The Chinese Copper Scrap Market Study was prepared by Beijing Antaike and the Indian Study by the India Copper Development Centre.

DIRECTORY OF COPPER & COPPER ALLOY FABRICATORS (FIRST USE) 2011 EDITION. This directory provides a global overview of companies and plants involved in the first use of copper. First users are mainly semis fabricators that process refinery shapes into semi-finished copper and copper alloy products. Published July 2011.

ICSG STATISTICAL DATABASE. The ICSG maintains one of the world's most complete historical and current databases with statistics on copper production capacities, data on copper production, consumption, stocks, prices, recycling and trade for copper products. In 2012 ICSG launched its ONLINE STATISTICAL DATABASE that will give subscribers direct access to ICSG historical data. It will also offer subscribers specific data extraction tools that will enable users to download the data.

SURVEY ON NON FERROUS METAL SCRAP & REFINED INPUTS & PRODUCTION IN CHINESE COPPER & COPPER ALLOY SEMIS MANUFACTURING PLANTS (2012) A joint report of the ICSG, ILZSG and INSG, providing information on Chinese fabricators and their use of refined copper, nickel, zinc, lead and non ferrous scrap

For more information about ICSG and ICSG publications, please visit our website at www.icsg.org

http://www.icsg.org/


International Copper Study Group 1

About ICSG i

ICSG Officers and Secretariat ii

ICSG Publications ii i

Table of Contents 1

Chapter 1: Cu Basics 2

What is Copper? 2

Copper Properties and Benefits 3

Selected Copper Definitions 4

Copper in History 5

Copper Today 6

Chapter 2: Copper Production 7

How is Copper Produced? 7

Copper Mine Production: World Copper Mine Production, 1900-2011 8

Copper Mine Production by Region: 1960, 1980 & 2011p 9

Copper Mine Production by Country: Top 20 Countries in 2011p 10

Trends in copper Mining Capacity, 1995-2015 11

Top 20 Copper Mines by Capacity, 2011 12

Constraints on Copper Supply 13

Copper Smelter Production: World Copper Smelter Production 1976-

2011p 14

Trends in Copper Smelting Capacity, 1995-2015 15

Copper Smelter Production by Region, 1990-2011p 16

Copper Smelter Production by Country: Top 20 Countries in 2011p 17

Top 20 Copper Smelters by Capacity, 2011 18

World Refined Copper Production, 1960-2011p 19

Trends in Refined Capacity, 1995-2015 20

Refined Copper Production by Region, 1990-2011p 21

Refined Copper Production by Country: Top 20 Countries in 2011p 22

Top 20 Copper Refineries by Capacity, 2011 23

Semis Production: Copper & Copper Alloy and Casting Production,

1980-2010 24

Copper and Copper Alloy Semis and Casting Production by Region,

1980 & 2010 25

Copper and Copper Alloy Semis Capacity by Region & Product 26

Copper and Copper Alloy Semis Production by Country: Top 20

Countries, 2011 27

Chapter 3: Copper Trade 28

Major International Trade Flows of Copper Ores and Concentrates 29

Major International Trade Flows of Copper Blister and Anode 30

Major International Trae Flows of Refined Copper 31

Leading Exporters and Importers of Semi-Fabricated Copper

Products, 2010 32

The Global Copper Market and the Commodity "Copper" 33

Copper Stocks, Prices and Usage 34

Chapter 4: Copper Usage 35

How is Copper Used? 35

World Refined Copper Usage, 1900-2011p 36

Refined Copper Usage by Region, 1960, 1980 & 2011p 37

World Refined Copper Usage per Capita: 1950-2011p 38

Intensity of Refined Copper Use 39

Total Copper Usage, Including Copper Scrap, 2002-2010 40

Major Uses of Copper: Electrical 41

Major Uses of Copper: Electronics and Communications 42

Major Uses of Copper: Construction 43

Major Uses of Copper: Transportation 44

Major Uses of Copper: Industrial Machinery and Equiptment 45

Major Uses of Copper: Consumer and General Products 46

Major Uses of Copper: Usage by End-Use Sector and Region, 2010 47

Chapter 5: Copper Recycling 48

Copper Recycling Rate Definitions 49

Global Copper Recyclables Use, 2002-2010 50

ICSG Global Copper Scrap Research Project 51

The Flow of Copper 52

ANNEX 54

World Copper Production and Usage, 1960-2011 54

Table of Contents



Chapter 1: Cu Basics

What is Copper? Copper is a malleable and ductile metallic element that is an excellent

conductor of heat and electricity as well as being corrosion resistant

and antimicrobial. Copper occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust in a

variety of forms. It can be found in sulfide deposits (as chalcopyrite,

bornite, chalcocite, covellite), in carbonate deposits (as azurite and

malachite), in silicate deposits (as chrysycolla and dioptase) and as

pure "native" copper.

Copper also occurs naturally in humans, animals and plants. Organic

life forms have evolved in an environment containing copper. As a

nutrient and essential element, copper is vital to maintaining health.

Life sustaining functions depend on copper.

Copper and copper-based alloys are used in a variety of applications

that are necessary for a reasonable standard of living. Its continued

production and use is essential for society's development. How society

exploits and uses its resources, while ensuring that tomorrow's needs

are not compromised, is an important factor in ensuring society's

sustainable development.

Copper is one of the most recycled of all metals. It is our ability to

recycle metals over and over again that makes them a material of

choice. Recycled copper (also known as secondary copper) cannot be

distinguished from primary copper (copper originating from ores),

once reprocessed. Recycling copper extends the efficiency of use of

the metal, results in energy savings and contributes to ensuring that

we have a sustainable source of metal for future generations.

The demand for copper will continue to be met by the discovery of

new deposits, technological improvements, efficient design, and by

taking advantage of the renewable nature of copper through reuse

and recycling. As well, competition between materials, and supply

and demand principles, contribute to ensuring that materials are

used efficiently and effectively.

Copper is an important contributor to the national economies of

mature, newly developed and developing countries. Mining,

processing, recycling and the transformation of metal into a

multitude of products creates jobs and generates wealth. These

activities contribute to building and maintaining a country's

infrastructure, and create trade and investment opportunities.

Copper will continue to contribute to society’s development well into

the future.

Images courtesy of the Copper Development Association.



Copper Properties and Benefits

Chemical Symbol Cu

Atomic Number 29

Atomic Weight 63.54

Density 8960 kg m-3

Melting point 1356 K

Specific Heat cp (at 293 K) 0.383 kJ kg-1 K-1

Thermal conductivity 394 W m-1 K-1

Coefficient of linear expansion 16.5 x 10-6 K-1

Young's Modulus of Elasticity 110 x 109 N m-2

Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) 1.673 x 10-8

ohm-m

Crystal Structure Face-Centered Cubic

Copper makes vital contributions to sustaining and improving society.

Copper's chemical, physical and aesthetic properties make it a material

of choice in a wide range of domestic, industrial and high technology

applications.

Alloyed with other metals, such as zinc (to form brass), aluminum or

tin (to form bronzes), or nickel, for example, it can acquire new

characteristics for use in highly specialized applications. In fact,

society's infrastructure is based, in part, on copper.

But copper’s benefits extend beyond mechanical characteristics:

Copper is essential to the health of plants, animal and humans.

Deficiencies, as well as excesses, can be detrimental to health.

Antimicrobial Properties. Due to copper’s antimicrobial

properties, copper and copper alloy products can be used to

eliminate pathogens and reduce the spread of diseases.

Recycling. Copper is one of the most recycled of all metals.

Virtually all products made from copper can be recycled and

recycled copper loses none of its chemical or physical properties.

Energy Efficiency. Copper can improve the efficiency of energy

production and distribution systems.

Key Physical Properties of Copper



Selected Copper Definitions

Anode. The positive terminal in an electrolytic cell where electrons leave a device to enter the external circuit. A copper anode at 99 percent purity will dissolve.

Blister. The product of a converting furnace. It is an intermediate, more concentrated (with respect to the desired metal) material than matte, from which it is made, and is usually transferred to another furnace for further concentration.

Cathode. The negative terminal in an electrolytic cell where copper is plated during electrowinning or electrolytic refining. Copper so plated is referred to as “cathode” and is generally about 99.99 percent pure.

Contained Copper. Contained copper is defined as the analytical amount of copper outputted in concentrates and precipitates.

Copper concentrate. A product of flotation milling. It composes sulfide minerals and entrained material and contains one-third each copper, iron, and sulfur. It can be processed pyrometallurgically in a smelter to produce matte or hydrometallurgically (pressure leaching) to produce pregnant leach solution, both products requiring further processing to obtain copper metal.

Direct melt scrap. Direct melt, or Remelt scrap is secondary material that can be used directly in a furnace without cleanup through the use of fluxes and poling and re-refining.

Electrorefining. An electrolytic refining process where less pure copper anode are dissolved, and high-purity copper is plated at the cathode.

Electrowinning. An electrolytic refining process where the anode is inert, and rich (copper-loaded) electrolyte continually replaces lean (copper-depleted) electrolyte as copper is plated at the cathode.

Fire-refined copper. The product of a fire-refining furnace. It is an intermediate, more concentrated (with respect to the desired metal) material than blister, from which it is made. Fire-refined copper contains about 99 percent copper, the exact percentage depending on the process parameters.

Primary copper. Copper extracted from ores and recovered as copper metal or copper-bearing chemicals.

Secondary refined material. Secondary refined material represents scrap that has been fire-refined, or that has been converted to anode at the smelter level and then electrolytically refined.

Solvent extraction. A method of separating one or more metals from a leach solution by treating with a solvent that will extract the required metal, leaving the others. The metal is recovered from the solvent by further treatment.

Stocks. ICSG reports refined copper stocks as those held by the exchanges, consumers, producers and governments. Merchant stocks are included where it is certain that these are nonduplicative to those already reported. Only refined products at plant sites are included. Items such as wire rod, tube and other semifabricated forms are not included.

Usage. Copper usage represents refined copper used by semifabricators. Usage data is either directly reported, or ICSG estimates an apparent usage using the following formula: Refined copper production + refined imports - refined exports + refined beginning stocks - ending stocks.

Sources: ICSG and USGS.



Images courtesy of the British Museum, the Copper Development Association and ICSG.

Copper in History

Archaeological evidence demonstrates that copper was one of the first metals used by humans and was used at least 10,000

years ago for items such as coins and ornaments in western Asia. During the prehistoric Chalcolithic Period (derived from

chalkos, the Greek word for copper), man discovered how to extract and use copper to produce ornaments and implements. As

early as the 4th to 3rd millennium BC, workers extracted copper from Spain's Huelva region.

The discovery that copper, when alloyed with tin, produces bronze, led to the Bronze Age, c. 2,500 BC. Israel's Timna Valley

provided copper to the Pharaohs (an Egyptian papyrus records the use of copper to treat infections and to sterilize water).

Cyprus supplied much of the Phoenician, Greek and Roman needs for copper. "Copper" is derived from the latin Cyprium,

literally Cyprian metal. The Greeks of Aristotle's era were familiar with brass as a valued copper alloy. In South America, the

pre-Columbian Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations exploited copper, in addition to gold and silver. During the Middle Ages,

copper and bronze works flourished in China, India and Japan.

The discoveries and inventions relating to electricity and magnetism of the late 18th and early 19th centuries by scientists

such as Ampere, Faraday and Ohm, and the products manufactured from copper, helped launch the Industrial Revolution

and propel copper into a new era. Today, copper continues to serve society's needs. Although copper has been in use for at

least 10,000 years, innovative applications for copper are still being developed as evidenced by the development of the copper

chip by the semi-conductors industry.



Copper Today

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Preliminary figures indicate that global

copper mine production in 2011 reached

over 16 million tonnes. The largest

producer of mined copper was Chile

(nearly 5.3 million tonnes).

Smelter production in 2011 reached over

15.8 million tonnes. China was the largest

producer of blister & anode in 2011 (over

4.7 million tonnes)

Refinery Production in 2011 increased to

nearly 19.6 million tonnes, including 3.5

million tonnes of secondary refined

production.

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Refined copper usage (usage by semis plants or the

first users of copper) in 2011 reached nearly 20.1

million tonnes. China was also the largest consumer

of refined copper in 2011 with apparent usage of

over 7.9 million tonnes.

According to the International Copper Association

(ICA), equipment was the largest copper end-use

sector last year, followed by infrastructure and

building construction.

New copper applications being developed include

antimicrobial copper touch surfaces, lead-free brass

plumbing, high tech copper wire, heat exchangers,

and new consumer products as well.

The global demand for copper continues to grow: world refined usage has more than tripled in the last 50 years thanks to expanding sectors such as

electrical and electronic products, building construction, industrial machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, and consumer and

general products. Some of the highlights of 2011 copper production and usage are listed below. In the chapters that follow, more in-depth

information is presented on copper production, trade, usage, and recycling. For the most up-to-date information on the global copper market,

please visit our website at www.icsg.org.

Images courtesy of CDA and Luis Hernán Herreros from www.visnu.cl, © Copyright Anglo American (Faena Los Bronces y Mantos Blancos – Chile)


http://www.visnu.cl/



Chapter 2: Copper Production

How is Copper Produced? Geologists look for signs and/or anomalies that would indicate the

presence of a mineral deposit. Under the right geological, economic,

environmental and legal conditions, mining can proceed.

Primary copper production starts with the extraction of copper-bearing

ores. There are three basic ways of copper mining: surface, underground

mining and leaching. Open-pit mining is the predominant mining method

in the world.

After the ore has been mined, it is crushed and ground followed by a

concentration by flotation. The obtained copper concentrates typically

contain around 30% of copper, but grades can range from 20 to 40 per

cent. In the following smelting process, sometimes preceded by a roasting

step, copper is transformed into a “matte” containing 50-70% copper. The

molten matte is processed in a converter resulting in a so-called blister

copper of 98.5-99.5% copper content. In the next step, the blister copper

is fire refined in the traditional process route, or, increasingly, re-melted

and cast into anodes for electro-refining.

The output of electro-refining is refined copper cathodes, assaying over

99.99% of copper.

Alternatively, in the hydrometallurgical route, copper is extracted from

mainly low grade oxide ores and also some sulphide ores, through

leaching (solvent extraction) and electrowinning (SX-EW process). The

output is the same as through the electro-refining route - refined copper

cathodes. ICSG estimates that in 2011, refined copper production from

SX-EW represented 17% of total copper refined production.

Refined copper production derived from mine production (either from

metallurgical treatment of concentrates or SX-EW) is referred to as

“primary copper production”, as obtainable from a primary raw material

source. However, there is another important source of raw material which

is scrap. Copper scrap derives from either metals discarded in semis

fabrication or finished product manufacturing processes (“new scrap”) or

obsolete end-of-life products (“old scrap”). Refined copper production

attributable to recycled scrap feed is classified as “secondary copper

production”. Secondary producers use processes similar to those

employed for primary production. ICSG estimates that in 2011, at the

refinery level, secondary copper refined production reached around 18%

of total copper refined production.



0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

World Copper Mine Production, 1900-2011 (thousand metric tonnes)

Source: ICSG

Concentrates SX-EW

Since 1900, when world production was less than 500 thousand tonnes copper, world copper mine production has grown by around 3% per year to

reach over 16 million tonnes in 2011. SX-EW production, virtually non-existent before the 1960s, reached nearly 3.4 million tonnes copper in 2011.

Copper Mine Production



0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Africa Asia Europe Latin America North America

Oceania

Copper Mine Production by Region, 1960, 1980 & 2011p (Thousand metric tonnes)

Source: ICSG

1960 1980 2011p

From less than 750 thousand tonnes copper in 1960, copper mine

production in Latin America surged to around 7 million tonnes in 2011.

Copper Mine Production by Region, 1960, 1980 & 2011p*

(Thousand metric tonnes copper)

Source: ICSG

*preliminary data



0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000

Bulgaria

Argentina

Mongolia

Laos

Papua New Guinea

Brazil

Iran

Kazakhstan

Poland

Congo

Mexico

Indonesia

Canada

Zambia

Russian Fed.

Australia

United States

Peru

China

Chile

Copper Mine Production by Country: Top 20 Countries in 2011p (Thousand metric tonnes)

Source: ICSG

Chile accounted for over one-third of world copper mine production

in 2011 with mine output of nearly 5.3 million tones copper.



-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

22,000

24,000

26,000

28,000

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Trends in Copper Mining Capacity, 1995-2015Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Concentrates SX-EW Total Mines

Copper mining capacity is estimated to reach 26.2 million tonnes copper

in 2015, with 22% being SX-EW production.



Rank Mine Country Owner(s) Source Capacity

1 Escondida Chile BHP Billiton (57.5%), Rio Tinto Corp. (30%), Japan Escondida (12.5%) Concs & SX-EW 1,250

2Codelco Norte

Chile Codelco Concs & SX-EW 920

3 Grasberg Indonesia P.T. Freeport Indonesia Co. (PT-FI), Rio Tinto Concentrates 750

4 Collahuasi Chile Anglo American (44%), Xstrata plc (44%), Mitsui + Nippon (12%) Concs & SX-EW 520

5 Los Pelambres Chile Antofagasta Plc (60%), Nippon Mining (25%), Mitsubishi Materials (15%) Concentrates 470

6 El Teniente Chile Codelco Concs & SX-EW 434

7Taimyr Peninsula (Norilsk/

Talnakh Mills)Russia Norilsk Nickel Concentrates 430

8 Morenci United States Freeport-McMoRan Inc 85%, 15% affiliates of Sumitomo Corporation Concs & SX-EW 420

9 Antamina PeruBHP Billiton (33.75%), Teck (22.5%), Xstrata plc (33.75%), Mitsubishi Corp.

(10%)Concentrates 370

10 Andina Chile Codelco Concentrates 300

11 Bingham Canyon United States Kennecott Concentrates 280

12 Batu Hijau IndonesiaPT Pukuafu 20%, Newmont 41.5%, Sumitomo Corp., Sumitomo Metal Mining &

Mitsubishi Materials 31.5%, PT Multi Daerah Bersaing 7%Concentrates 250

12 Kansanshi Zambia First Quantum Minerals Ltd (80%), ZCCM (20%) Concs & SX-EW 250

14 Los Bronces Chile Anglo Amercian 75.5%, Mitsubishi Corp. 24.5% Concs & SX-EW 246

15 Zhezkazgan Complex Kazakhstan Kazakhmys (Samsung) Concentrates 230

16 Olympic Dam Australia BHP Billiton Concs & SX-EW 225

17 Rudna Poland KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. Concentrates 215

18 Sarcheshmeh Iran National Iranian Copper Industry Co. Concs & SX-EW 204

19 Spence Chile BHP Billiton SX-EW 200

20 La Caridad Mexico Mexicana de Cobre S. A. (Grupo Mexico) Concs & SX-EW 195

(includes Chuquicamata, Radomiro Tomic, Mina Ministro Hales project)

Top 20 Copper Mines by Capacity, 2011 Thousand metric tones copper

Source: ICSG



Constraints on Copper Supply

With copper concentrate in strong demand, there has been growing

interest in understanding the obstacles that can prevent copper mine

supply from coming on-stream. During 2008-2009, the ICSG Secretariat

conducted a project on Constraints on New Copper Supply Coming On

Stream, with the final project report completed in October 2009. Below

are some of the operational and financial constraints identified from the

study. For more information about ICSG research related to constraints on

copper supply, please contact the ICSG Secretariat at [email protected]

Falling Ore Grades: a serious issue in developed copper areas such as the USA and Chile

Project finance: cost of capital is a central factor. High interest rates may reduce supply significantly

Capital cost overruns: in the past. underestimations of US dollar inflation was source of many cost overruns

Tax & investment regimes: recent research indicates these are less important than geological endowments

Water supply: a critical issue in dry mining districts

Energy: coal is the fuel chosen to power main copper mines and processes… climate change may increase costs.

Resource nationalism: It has become a priority for certain governments to develop their mineral resources that have not been exploited until now. While willing to develop their natural resources, countries might be seeking to extract strong revenue flows from them. It will be important to balance royalty/taxation levels with the need to encourage capital investment to develop their rising industries.

Shipping costs: not an issue for copper... for now

Sulphuric acid supply and price: 16% cost factor for SX-EW projects

Skilled labor: open labor markets would help address this constraint

Labor strikes: tend to increase when refined prices are high and GDP is growing faster, but tend to be longer and less frequent in cool economic times and also when copper prices are down

High domestic costs if there is “dutch disease” (resulting in higher exchange rates due in part to strong exports)

Rate between imported inputs and domestic input costs affected by the currency strength of the producer

Market power/concentration: risks have moved to the import demand side versus export supply side in recent years

Peace and security is also a key factor




6,000

8,500

11,000

13,500

16,000

1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011

World Copper Smelter Production, 1976-2011p Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Primary Feed Secondary Feed

Copper Smelter Production

Smelting is the pyrometallurgical process used to produce copper metal. In 2011, world copper smelter production reached 15.8

million tonnes copper. Recently, the trend to recover copper directly from ores through leaching processes has been on the increase.

Primary smelters use mine concentrates as their main source of feed (although some use copper scrap as well). Secondary copper

smelters use copper scrap as their feed.



-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Trends in Copper Smelting Capacity, 1995-2015 Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Flash/Continuous Reverb/Blast/Rotary Modified Reverb/Convert Electric Low Grade EW Unkown



0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Copper Smelter Production by Region, 1990-2011pThousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Africa America Asia Europe Oceania

Asia’s share of world copper smelter output jumped from 27% in 1990 to

55% in 2011 as smelter production in China expanded rapidly.



0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000

Sweden

Brazil

Spain

Iran

Indonesia

Bulgaria

Peru

Canada

Kazakhstan

Australia

Zambia

Poland

Korean Rep.

United States

Germany

India

Russian Fed.

Chile

Japan

China

Copper Smelter Production by Country: Top 20 Countries in 2011p Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

In 2011, China accounted for around 30% of world copper smelter output,

followed by Japan (9%), Chile (9%) and the Russian Federation (5%).



Rank Smelter Country Operator/Owner(s) Process Capacity

1 Guixi (smelter) China Jiangxi Copper Corp. Outokumpu Flash 900

2 Birla Copper (Dahej) India Birla Group Outokumpu Flash, Ausmelt, Mitsubishi Continuous 500

3 Codelco Norte (smelter) Chile Codelco Outokumpu/ Teniente Converter 450

3 Saganoseki/ Ooita (smelter) Japan Pan Pacific Copper Co. Ltd Outokumpu Flash 450

3 Hamburg Germany Aurubis Outokumpu, Contimelt, Electric 450

3 Besshi/ Ehime (Toyo) Japan Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. Outokumpu Flash 450

3 Saganoseki/ Oita (smelter) Japan Pan Pacific Copper Co. Ltd Outokumpu Flash 450

8 El Teniente (Caletones) Chile Codelco Chile Reverberatory/ Teniente Conv. 400

8 Jinchuan (smelter) China Jinchuan Non- Ferrous Metal Co. Reverberatory/ Kaldo Conv. 400

8 Norilsk (Nikelevy, Medny) Russia Norilsk G-M Reverb, Electric, Vanyukov 400

11 Sterlite Smelter (Tuticorin) India Vedanta Isasmelt Process 380

12 Ilo Smelter Peru Southern Copper Corp. (Grupo Mexico 75.1%) Isasmelt Process 360

13 Altonorte (La Negra) Chile Xstrata plc Noranda Continuous 350

13 Jinlong (Tongdu) ChinaTongling Nonferrous Metals Corp. (57.4%), Sumitomo

(35%), Pingguo Aluminium Co.Flash Smelter 350

13 Yunnan China Yunnan Copper Industry Group (Local Government) Isasmelt Process 350

16 Onahama/ Fukushima Japan

Mitsubishi Materials Corp. (49.29%), Dowa Metals &

Mining Co. Ltd.(31.15%), Furukawa Metals & Resources

Co. Ltd. (12.67%)

Reverberatory 322

17 Onsan II Korean Republic LS-Nikko Co. (LS, Nippon Mining) Mitsubishi Continuous 320

17 Huelva Spain Atlantic Copper S.A. (Freeport McMoran) Outokumpu Flash 320

17 Garfield (smelter) United States Kennecott (Rio Tinto) Kennecott/ Outokumpu 320

20 Naoshima/ Kagawa (smelter) Japan Mitsubishi Materials Corp. Mitsubishi Continuous 306

Top 20 Copper Smelters by Capacity, 2011 Thousand metric tones copper

Source: ICSG



0

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

12,500

15,000

17,500

20,000

1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011

World Refined Copper Production, 1960-2011p Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Refinery Primary Refinery Secondary Refinery SX-EW

Refined Copper Production

With the emergence of solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) technology, refined copper produced from leaching ores has

been on the rise, increasing from less than 1% of world refined copper production in the late 1960’s to 17% of world output in 2011.



-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

22,000

24,000

26,000

28,000

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Trends in Refined Capacity, 1995-2015 Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Electrolytic Electrowinning Fire Refining

This chart shows world copper refinery capacity by refining process. The ratio between production and capacity is called the

capacity utilization rate. The world refinery capacity utilization rate was around 80% in 2011.



0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

Refined Copper Production by Region, 1990-2011pThousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG


Region with the highest output of refined copper in 1990: the Americas (4,250 kt), followed by Europe (3,004 kt)

Leading region in the world in 2011: Asia (9,024 kt) as compared to 2,500kt in 1990.



0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000

Iran

Canada

Indonesia

Kazakhstan

Congo

Mexico

Spain

Peru

Belgium

Australia

Zambia

Poland

Korean Rep.

India

Germany

Russian Fed.

United States

Japan

Chile

China

Refined Copper Production by Country: Top 20 Countries in 2011pThousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG



Rank Refinery Country Owner(s) Process Capacity

1 Guixi China Jiangxi Copper Corporation Electrolytic 900

2 Chuquicamata Refinery Chile Codelco Electrolytic 600

3 Yunnan Copper China Yunnan Copper Industry Group (64.8%) Electrolytic 500

3 Birla India Birla Group Hidalco Electrolytic 500

3 Jinchuan China Jinchuan Non Ferrous Co. Electrolytic 500

6 Codelco Norte (SX-EW) Chile Codelco Electrowinning 470

7 Toyo/Niihama (Besshi) Japan Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. Electrolytic 450

7 Amarillo United States Grupo Mexico Electrolytic 450

9 El Paso (refinery) United States Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Electrolytic 415

10 Las Ventanas Chile Codelco Electrolytic 400

10 Jinlong (Tongdu) (refinery) ChinaTongling NonFerrous Metal Corp. 52 %, Sharpline International 13%,

Sumitomo Corp. 7.5%, Itochu Corp. 7.5%Electrolytic 400

12 Hamburg (refinery) Germany Aurubis Electrolytic 395

13 Sterlite Refinery India Vedanta Electrolytic 380

13 Pyshma Refinery Russia Uralelectromed (Urals Mining & Metallurgical Co.) Electrolytic 380

15 CCR Refinery (Montreal) Canada Xstrata plc Electrolytic 370

16 Ilo Copper Refinery Peru Southern Copper Corp. Electrolytic 360

16 Morenci (SX-EW) United States Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc./Sumitomo Electrowinning 350

16 Escondida (SX-EW) Chile BHP Billiton (57.5%), Rio Tinto Corp. (30%), Japan Escondida (12.5%) Electrowinning 350

16 Zhangjiagang China Tongling Non Ferrous Co. Electrolytic 350

20 Olen Belgium Aurubis Electrolytic 345

20 Norilsk Refinery Russia Norilsk Nickel Electrolytic 330

Top 20 Copper Refineries by Capacity, 2011 Thousand metric tones copper

Source: ICSG



Semis Production

Semis fabricators process refinery shapes such as cathodes, wire bar, ingot, billet slab and cake into semi-finished copper and copper alloy

products using both unwrought copper materials and direct melt scrap as raw material feed. Semis fabricators are considered to be the “first

users” of refined copper and include ingot makers, master alloy plants, wire rod plants, brass mills, alloy wire mills, foundries and foil mills.

0

3,000

6,000

9,000

12,000

15,000

18,000

21,000

24,000

27,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Copper and Copper Alloy and Casting Production, 1980-2010 Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Copper Semis Copper Alloy Semis Not specified (1) Foundry Castings

(1) Includes all semis production of not specified composition. China data included here since 2009 as no breakdown available



0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

Africa Asia Europe North America Oceania South America

Copper and Copper Alloy Semis and Casting Production by Region, 1980 & 2010Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

1980

2010

Asia accounted for 66% of semis production in 2010, or more than 15.2 million metric tonnes, up from 22% in 1980.



Africa1%

Russian Fed. & Central Asia

5%

Middle East5%

South Asia & Oceania

7%

Americas14%

North Asia (ex-China)15%

EU27, Norway & Switzerland

21%

China32%

Semis Production Capacity by Region, 2011 (%)Source: ICSG

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

2010 2011

Semis Production Capacity by Product, 2010 vs 2011 (kt gross weight)

Source: ICSG

Wire Rod PSS RBS

Tubes Unclassified Alloy Wire

Ingots Foil Powder

In 2011, China accounted for the largest share of

world semis capacity production (32%) and the

largest number of semis plants (499).

Wire rod plants are estimated to have accounted

for just under half of all first use capacity in 2011,

or nearly 21 Mt.

Copper & Copper Alloy Semis Capacity by Region & Product



0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000

Iran

Poland

Egypt

Indonesia

United …

Thailand

Spain

Belgium

Brazil

France

Turkey

Russia

Taiwan

India

Italy

Korea

Germany

Japan

USA

China

Copper and Copper Alloy Semis Production Capacity by Country: Top 20 Countries, 2011

Thousand metric tonnes Source: ICSG



0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000

Copper & Copper Alloy Semis /1

Copper Scrap /1

Refined Copper

Blister & Anode

Concentrates

World Copper Exports by Product Category, 2010p Thousand metric tonnes copper (unless otherwise noted)

Source: ICSG

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000

Copper & Copper Alloy Semis /1

Copper Scrap /1

Refined Copper

Blister & Anode

Concentrates

World Copper Imports by Product Category, 2010p Thousand metric tonnes copper (unless otherwise noted)

Source: ICSG

Chapter 3: Copper Trade Copper products across the value chain are traded internationally. Often,

countries where upstream copper production capacity exceeds

downstream production capacity will import the raw materials needed to

meet their production needs, and vice versa. Major product categories of

copper traded internationally include:

Copper concentrates

Copper blister and anode

Copper cathode and ingots

Copper scrap and

Copper semis

Copper powders and compounds are also traded globally, but typically in

much smaller quantities. In additional, copper is contained in end-use

products that are traded globally including automobiles, appliances,

electronic equipment and other products. Changes in trade regulations,

such as import duties or export quotas, can have significant impacts on

the international trade of copper. For more information about the

international trade of copper and changes in regulations that can affect

the trade of copper, please contact the ICSG Secretariat at [email protected]

1 Gross metal weight.

Image courtesy of the Copper Development Association.



Major International Trade Flows of Copper

Ores and Concentrates1

1Figure is intended to illustrate trade flows but not actual trade routes.

Major Exporters of

Copper Ores and

Concentrates, 2010

1. Chile

2. Peru

3. Indonesia

4. Australia

5. Canada

6. Brazil

7. Argentina

8. Papua New

Guinea

9. Mongolia

10. Kazakhstan

Major Importers of

Copper Ores and

Concentrates, 2010

1. China

2. Japan

3. India

4. Korean Rep.

5. Spain

6. Germany

7. Philippines

8. Bulgaria

9. Brazil

10. Finland

Major International Trade Flows of Copper Ores and Concentrates1



Major International Trade of Copper Blister

and Anode1


Major Exporters of

Copper Blister and

Anode, 2010

1. Chile

2. Netherlands

3. Belgium

4. Finland

5. Spain

6. Bulgaria

7. Canada

8. Peru

9. USA

10. Armenia

Major Importers of

Copper Blister and

Anode, 2010

1. China

2. Belgium

3. Netherlands

4. Australia

5. Canada

6. Mexico

7. Korean Rep.

8. Austria

9. USA

10. Germany

Major International Trade Flows of Copper Blister and Anode1



Major International Trade Flows of Refined

Copper1


Major Exporters of

Refined Copper,

2010

1. Chile

2. Zambia

3. Japan

4. Russia

5. Peru

6. Australia

7. Poland

8. Kazakhstan

9. India

10. Netherlands

Major Importers of

Refined Copper,

2010

1. China

2. Germany

3. Italy

4. USA

5. Taiwan

6. Korean Rep.

7. Turkey

8. Brazil

9. Thailand

10. France

Major International Trade Flows of Refined Copper1



0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

Exporters

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

Importers

Leading Exporters and Importers of Semi-Fabricated Copper Products, 2010 Thousand metric tonnes, Source: ICSG



0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

Average Annual Copper Prices (LME, Grade A, Cash), 1960-2011 US$ per tonne Source: ICSG

Current $ Constant 2005 $

The Global Copper Market and the

Commodity “Copper”

Copper, as any other good or merchandise, is traded between producers

and consumers. Producers sell their present or future production to

clients, who transform the metal into shapes or alloys, so that

downstream fabricators can transform these into different end-use

products. One of the most important factors in trading a commodity such

as copper is the settlement price for the present day (spot price) or for

future days.

Exchanges

The role of a commodity exchange is to facilitate and make transparent

the process of settling prices. Three commodity exchanges provide the

facilities to trade copper: The London Metal Exchange (LME), the

Commodity Exchange Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange

(COMEX/NYMEX) and the Shanghai Metal Exchange (SHME). In these

exchanges, prices are settled by bid and offer, reflecting the market's

perception of supply and demand of a commodity on a particular day. On

the LME, copper is traded in 25 tonne lots and quoted in US dollars per

tonne; on COMEX, copper is traded in lots of 25,000 pounds and quoted

in US cents per pound; and on the SHME, copper is traded in lots of 5

tonnes and quoted in Renminbi per tonne. More recently, mini contracts

of smaller lots sizes have been introduced at the exchanges.

Exchanges also provide for the trading of futures and options contracts.

These allow producers and consumers to fix a price in the future, thus

providing a hedge against price variations. In this process the participation

of speculators, who are ready to buy the risk of price variation in

exchange for monetary reward, gives liquidity to the market. A futures or

options contract defines the quality of the product, the size of the lot,

delivery dates, delivery warehouses and other aspects related to the

trading process. Contracts are unique for each exchange. The existence of

futures contracts also allows producers and their clients to agree on

different price settling schemes to accommodate different interests.

Exchanges also provide for warehousing facilities that enable market

participants to make or take physical delivery of copper in accordance

with each exchange's criteria.



0102030405060708090100110120130140150160170180190200210220230240250260270280290300310320330340350360370380390400410420430440450

075

150225300375450525600675750825900975

1,0501,1251,2001,2751,3501,4251,5001,5751,6501,7251,8001,8751,9502,0252,1002,1752,2502,3252,4002,4752,5502,6252,7002,7752,8502,9253,0003,0753,1503,2253,3003,375

Jan 01

Jul 01 Jan 02

Jul 02 Jan 03

Jul 03 Jan 04

Jul 04 Jan 05

Jul 05 Jan 06

Jul Jan 07

Jul Jan 08

Jul Jan 09

Jul Jan-10

Jul Jan-11

Jul Jan-12

Pri

ce

LM

E (

US

ce

nts

/po

un

d)

Th

ou

sa

nd

me

tric

ton

ne

s, c

op

pe

r

Exchanges Producers Merchants Consumers 3 mth moving average copper usage seasonally adjusted Price LME (UScents/pound)

Chapter 4: Copper Usage

Copper Stocks, Prices and Usage Thousand metric tonnes and US cents/pound

Source: ICSG



How Is Copper Used?

Copper is shipped to fabricators mainly as cathode, wire rod, billet, cake (slab) or ingot. Through extrusion, drawing, rolling, forging,

melting, electrolysis or atomization, fabricators form wire, rod, tube, sheet, plate, strip, castings, powder and other shapes. The fabricators

of these shapes are called the first users of copper. The total use of copper includes copper scrap that is directly melted by the first users of

copper to produce copper semis.

Copper and copper alloy semis can be further transformed by downstream industries for use in end use products such as automobiles,

appliances, electronics, and a whole range of other copper-dependent products in order to meet society’s needs. This section provides a

range of information about refined copper usage, total use, major uses of copper and end-use.

For the most up-to-date information on refined copper usage, please visit the ICSG website at www.icsg.org




0

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

12,500

15,000

17,500

20,000

World Refined Copper Usage, 1900-2011p Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG

Since 1900, demand for refined copper increased from less than 500 thousand tonnes to nearly

20 million metric tonnes in 2011 as demand over the period grew by an average of 3% per year.



0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

1960 1980 2011p

Th

ou

san

d M

etr

ic T

on

nes C

op

per

Refined Copper Usage by Region, 1960, 1980 & 2011pThousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG


Growth in refined copper usage has been especially strong in Asia, where demand has

expanded more than five fold in less than 30 years.



0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010

kg

pe

r p

ers

on

po

pu

lati

on

(b

ln)

World Refined Copper Usage* per Capita: 1950-2011pSources: ICSG and US Census Bureau

World Population Refined Copper Usage per Capita

*Refined copper is consumed by semis fabricators or the “first users” of refined copper, including ingot makers, master alloy plants, wire rod plants, brass mills, alloy wire mills, foundries and foil mills. As a result, per capita

consumption of refined copper refers to the amount of copper consumed by industry divided by the total population and does not represent consumption of copper in finished products per person.



GDP (Current Int'l $ per capita) Refined Cu use (kg/person)Australia 65477 5.81 Belgium 46878 27.39 Brazil 12789 2.33 Canada 50436 4.20 Chile 14278 5.53 China 5414 5.82 France 44008 3.88 Germany 43742 16.32 India 1389 0.56 Italy 36267 10.42 Japan 45920 7.87 Thailand 5394 3.90 Indonesia 3509 0.83 Malaysia 9700 6.27 Egypt 2970 2.03 Iran 6360 1.91 Korean Rep 22778 17.14 Mexico 10153 2.66 Peru 5782 1.83 Poland 13540 7.25 Portugal 22413 0.14 Russian Fed 12993 3.05 Saudi Arabia 20504 7.10 Spain 32360 7.89 Taiwan 20101 23.90 Turkey 10522 5.00 UAE 67008 42.79 United States 48387 5.64

Australia

Belgium

Brazil Canada

ChileChina

France

Germany

India

Italy

Japan

Thailand

Indonesia

Malaysia

EgyptIran

Korean Rep

MexicoPeru

Poland

Portugal

Russian Fed

Saudi Arabia Spain

Taiwan

Turkey

UAE

United States

-

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000

Re

fin

ed

co

pp

er

us

e p

er

ca

pit

a (

kg

/pe

rso

n)

GDP per capita (2011 US$/person)

Intensity of Refined Copper Use* Sources: ICSG and International Monetary Fund

*Refined copper is consumed by semis fabricators or the “first users” of refined copper, including ingot makers, master alloy plants, wire rod plants, brass mills, alloy wire mills, foundries and foil mills. As a result, per capita consumption of refined copper refers to the amount of copper consumed

by industry divided by the total population and does not represent consumption of copper in finished products per person.



0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total scrap Primary refined

Total Copper Usage, Including Copper Scrap, 2002-2010 Thousand metric tonnes copper

Source: ICSG



Major Uses of Copper: Electrical

Copper is the best non-

precious metal conductor of

electricity as it encounters

much less resistance

compared with other

commonly used metals. It sets

the standard to which other

conductors are compared.

Copper is also used in power cables, either insulated or

uninsulated, for high, medium and low voltage applications.

In addition, copper's exceptional strength, ductility and resistance

to creeping and corrosion makes it the preferred and safest

conductor for commercial and residential building wiring.

Copper is an essential

component of energy

efficient generators,

motors, transformers

and renewable energy

production systems.

Renewable energy

sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, fuel cells and other

technologies are all heavily reliant on copper due to its excellent

conductivity.

ICSG, in partnership with the Common Fund for Commodities,

the International Copper Association and the International

Copper Promotion Council (India), is supervising the Transfer of

Technology for High Pressure Copper Die Casting in India project.

The project is designed to facilitate the transfer of technology

related to the manufacture of rotors, motors and motor systems

using more energy efficient high pressure copper die castings.




Major Uses of Copper: Electronics and

Communications

Copper plays a key role in

worldwide information and

communications technologies.

HDSL (High Digital Subscriber

Line) and ADSL (Asymmetrical

Digital Subscriber Line)

technology allows for high-speed

data transmission, including

internet service, through the

existing copper infrastructure of ordinary telephone wire.

Copper and copper alloy products are used in domestic

subscriber lines, wide and local area networks, mobile

phones and personal computers.

Semiconductor manufacturers

have launched a revolutionary

"copper chip." By using copper

for circuitry in silicon chips,

microprocessors are able to

operate at higher speeds, using

less energy. Copper heat sinks

help remove heat from transistors and keep computer

processors operating at peak efficiency. Copper is also

used extensively in other electronic equipment in the

form of wires, transformers, connectors and switches.

Images courtesy of the Copper Development Association and European Copper Institute.



Major Uses of Copper: Construction

Copper and brass are the

materials of choice for

plumbing, taps, valves and

fittings. Thanks in part to its

aesthetic appeal, copper

and its alloys, such as

architectural bronze, is

used in a variety of settings

to build facades, canopies,

doors and window frames.

Unlike plastic tubing,

copper does not burn, melt

or release noxious or toxic

fumes in the event of a fire. Copper tubes also help

protect water systems from potentially lethal bacteria

such as legionella. Copper fire sprinkler systems are a

valuable safety feature in buildings.

The use of copper

doorknobs and plates

exploits copper's

biostatic properties to

help prevent the transfer of disease and microbes.

Copper roofing, in addition

to being attractive, is well

known for its resistance to

extreme weather

conditions. Major public

buildings, commercial

buildings and homes use

copper for their rainwater

goods and roofing needs.

The telltale green patina

finish, that gives copper the classic look of warmth and

richness, is the result of natural weathering.

Images courtesy of the Copper Development Association and the International Copper Association.



Major Uses of Copper: Transportation

All major forms of transportation depend on copper to

perform critical functions.

Copper-nickel alloys are used on the

hulls of boats and ships to reduce

marine biofouling, thereby reducing

drag and improving fuel consumption.

Automobiles and trucks rely on copper

motors, wiring, radiators, connectors, brakes and

bearings. Today, the average mid-size automobile

contains about 22.5 kg (50 lbs) of copper, while luxury

cars on average contain around 1,500 copper wires

totaling about 1.6 km (1 mile) in length.

Electric and hybrid vehicles can contain even higher

levels of copper. Copper's superior thermal conductivity,

strength, corrosion resistance and recyclability make it

ideal for automotive and truck radiators. New

manufacturing technologies, processes and innovative

designs are resulting in lighter, smaller and more

efficient radiators.

Copper is also used extensively in new generation

airplanes and trains. New high-speed trains can use

anywhere from 2 to 4 tonnes of copper, significantly

higher than the 1 to 2 tonnes used in traditional electric

trains.

Images courtesy of the Copper Development Association and the European Copper Institute.



Major Uses of Copper: Industrial Machinery

and Equipment

Wherever industrial machinery and equipment is found, it

is a safe bet that copper and its alloys are present. Due to

their durability, machinability and ability to be cast with

high precision and tolerances, copper alloys are ideal for

making products such as gears, bearings and turbine

blades.

Copper's superior heat transfer capabilities and ability to

withstand extreme environments makes it an ideal choice

for heat exchange equipment, pressure vessels and vats.

The corrosion resistant properties of copper and copper

alloys (such as brass, bronze, and copper-nickel) make

them especially suitable for use in marine and other

demanding environments.

Vessels, tanks, and piping exposed to seawater,

propellers, oil platforms and coastal power stations, all

depend on copper's corrosion resistance for protection




Major Uses of Copper: Consumer and General

Products

From the beginning of civilization copper has been used

by various societies to make coins for currency.

Today, countries are replacing

lower denomination bills with

copper-based coins, as these

coins last 10, 20 and even 50

times longer.

In the United States, one cent

coins and five cent coins contain 2.5% and 75% copper,

respectively, while other U.S. coins contain a pure copper

core and 75% copper face.1 In the recently expanded

European Union, the Euro coins, first introduced in 2002,

also contain copper.

1 Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Copper and copper-based products are used in offices,

households and workplaces. Computers, electrical

appliances, cookware, brassware, and locks and keys are

just some of the products exploiting copper's advantages.

In addition, in areas known to be copper deficient, copper

is used by farmers to supplement livestock and crop feed.

Images courtesy of the International Copper Association and the Copper Development Association.



North America

10% Latin America

6%

Asia 62%

Europe22%

Building Construction

32%

Infrastructure14%

Equipment54%

Major Uses of Copper: Usage by Region and End Use Sector, 2010 Basis: copper content, thousand metric tonnes

Source: International Copper Association



Chapter 5: Copper Recycling Copper is among the few

materials that do not degrade or

lose their chemical or physical

properties in the recycling

process. Considering this, the

existing copper reservoir in use

can well be considered a

legitimate part of world copper reserves. In the recent

decades, an increasing emphasis has been placed on the

sustainability of material uses in which the concept of

reuse and recycling of metals plays an important role in

the material choice and acceptance of products. If

appropriately managed, recycling has the potential to

extend the use of resources, and to minimize energy use,

some emissions, and waste disposal.

Closing metal loops through increased reuse and recycling

enhances the overall resource productivity and therefore

represents one of the key elements of society’s transition

towards more sustainable production and consumption

patterns. It is widely recognized that recycling is not in

opposition to primary metal production, but is a

necessary and beneficial complement.

In 2010, ICSG estimates that more than 30% of copper

consumption came from recycled copper. Some countries'

copper requirements greatly depend on recycled copper

to meet internal demands. However, recycled copper

alone cannot meet society's needs, so we also rely on

copper produced from the processing of mineral ores.

Images courtesy of the European Copper Institute.



Copper Recycling Rate Definitions

The recycling performance of copper-bearing products

can be measured and demonstrated in various ways –

depending, among other things, on objectives, scope,

data availability and target audience. The three

International Non-Ferrous Metal Study Groups in

conjunction with various metal industry associations

agreed on the common definitions of the three following

metal recycling rates:

The Recycling Input Rate (RIR) measures the

proportion of metal and metal products that are

produced from scrap and other metal-bearing low-

grade residues. The RIR is mainly a statistical

measurement for raw material availability and supply

rather than an indicator of recycling efficiency of

processes or products. The RIR has been in use in the

metals industry for a long time and is widely available

from statistical sources. Major target audiences for this

type of “metallurgical” indicator are the metal industry,

metal traders and resource policy makers. However,

given structural and process variables, it may have

limited use as a policy tool.

The Overall Recycling Efficiency Rate (Overall

RER) indicates the efficiency with which end of life

(EOL) scrap, new scrap, and other metal-bearing

residues are collected and recycled by a network of

collectors, processors, and metal recyclers. The key

target audiences of this particular indicator are metal

industry, scrap processors and scrap generators.

The EOL Recycling Efficiency Rate (EOL RER)

indicates the efficiency with which EOL scrap from

obsolete products is recycled. This measure focuses

on end-of-life management performance of products

and provides important information to target audiences

such as metal and recycling industries, product

designers, life cycle analysts, and environmental

policy makers.



2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Americas 1,487 1,379 1,426 1,429 1,568 1,612 1,364 1,186 1,204

Asia 2,767 2,917 3,375 3,566 4,230 4,322 4,390 4,116 4,783

Europe 2,720 2,546 2,644 2,491 2,634 2,577 2,472 1,975 2,250

Africa & Oceania5)52 42 37 37 25 29 24 23 24

World / Total Scrap Use 7,030 6,890 7,487 7,531 8,463 8,549 8,258 7,306 8,265

Scrap use Annual Growth -2.0% 8.7% 0.6% 12.4% 1.0% -3.4% -11.5% 13.1%

Secondary refined production 1,898 1,786 2,069 2,161 2,613 2,743 2,823 2,839 3,250

Cu content of Direct Melt 5,132 5,104 5,417 5,370 5,850 5,806 5,435 4,467 5,015

Refined Usage 15,210 15,717 16,838 16,674 17,034 18,196 18,054 18,088 19,354

Total copper usage 20,342 20,821 22,255 22,044 22,884 24,002 23,489 22,555 24,370

Recycling Input Rate (RIR) 34.6% 33.1% 33.6% 34.2% 37.0% 35.6% 35.2% 32.4% 33.9%

Asia 30.6% 30.3% 32.0% 33.0% 37.5% 34.3% 34.4% 29.6% 32.3%

Europe 44.5% 41.7% 41.8% 41.7% 41.0% 41.2% 42.0% 44.4% 44.8%

North America 32.4% 31.5% 30.5% 31.2% 33.8% 35.1% 33.3% 35.6% 34.2%

Rest of the World 17.2% 13.1% 13.3% 15.2% 20.3% 22.5% 15.7% 10.7% 10.3%

Global Copper Recyclables Use, 2002-2010 Thousand metric tonnes

Source: ICSG



Key Drivers of the Global Copper Scrap Market

Expanding Copper Mine Production and

Refined Copper Substitution

Industrialization and Economic Growth

Prices

o Copper Scrap Prices and Spreads

o Refined Copper Prices and the Demand

for Scrap

China

The Shift in Regional Scrap Processing

Capacity

Regulations on Recycling and Trade

Technology

ICSG Global Copper Scrap Project Reports

Copper Scrap Market Recovery in NAFTA (New!)

Copper Scrap Supply Survey in China (New!)

Survey on Nonferrous Metal Scrap and Refined

Inputs & Production in Chinese Semis Plants (New!)

ICSG Global Copper Scrap Research Project Final

Report

Japan Scrap Market Report

China Scrap Usage Survey

China Domestic Scrap Generation 2010-2015

India Scrap Market

ICSG Global Copper Scrap Research Project and two new scrap reports

Based on interest expressed by member countries, ICSG launched the copper scrap market project in 2007 in order to provide greater transparency on an increasingly vital component of the world copper market at a time when globalization is reshaping the copper scrap and copper alloy recycling business. The final report of the project was published in August 2010. In addition, ICSG completed two new detailed reports on the NAFTA and Chinese scrap recovery and scrap supply in 2012. For more information about ICSG work related to copper scrap, please contact the ICSG Secretariat at [email protected]




The Flow of Copper

Concen-

trates/

Matte

Trade Blister/

Anode

Refined

Copper

Mine Smelter Refinery

Alloy

Ingot

Semis

Net Trade

Wire rod plant /

Wire mill

Brass

mill

Foundry

Other Plants

Direct

MeltHydromet.

Plant

Low Grade

Residues

Semis Supply

Ingot

Maker

Scrap for

Smelting

Scrap

RecyclingScrap for

Refining

ProductionFabrication

Alloy

Metals

Refined

Usage

incl. low grade scrap987

By-products/

slag/ashesTailings

Mining

Chemicals

SX/EW

New Scrap

Wire rod

refined

alloys

Concen-

trates/

Matte

Trade Blister/

Anode

Refined

Copper

Mine Smelter Refinery

Alloy

Ingot

Semis

Net Trade

Wire rod plant /

Wire mill

Brass

mill

Foundry

Other Plants

Direct

MeltHydromet.

Plant

Low Grade

Residues

Semis Supply

Ingot

Maker

Scrap for

Smelting

Scrap

RecyclingScrap for

Refining

ProductionFabrication

Alloy

Metals

Refined

Usage

incl. low grade scrap987

By-products/

slag/ashesTailings

Mining

Chemicals

SX/EW

New Scrap

Wire rod

refined

alloys



Finished

Products

Net

Trade

EOL

Products

New

Scrap

Old

Scrap

Recycling

Scrap &

Low grade

Net Trade

Disposal/

Other Uses

Other Metal

Loops

Manufacture

Dissipative

Uses

Product Use

(Lifetime)

End-of-Life Management

Construction

E&E Equipment

Ind. equipment

Transport

Consumer/ Gen.

Other Uses

C&D

INEW

IEW

ELV

WEEE

MSW & Other

Abandoned/

Stored/

Reused

End-of-Life

Products

Copper

Reservoir

in UseFinished

Products

EOL

ProductsProduct

Supply

Low grade

from Fabr.

Recycling

Recycling

losses new

scrap

Semis

Import

(EOL Management

adjusted for

export/reuse after

collection)

The Flow of Copper (cont.)



Mine

Production

Refined

Production

Refined

Usage

Mine

Production

Refined

Production

Refined

Usage

Mine

Production

Refined

Production

Refined

Usage

1960 3,924 4,998 4,738 1977 7,444 8,884 9,057 1994 9,549 11,124 11,560

1961 4,081 5,127 5,050 1978 7,306 9,030 9,527 1995 10,084 11,832 12,043

1962 4,216 5,296 5,048 1979 7,371 9,200 9,848 1996 11,097 12,677 12,531

1963 4,286 5,400 5,500 1980 7,230 9,261 9,396 1997 11,537 13,478 13,103

1964 4,443 5,739 5,995 1981 7,721 9,573 9,522 1998 12,248 14,075 13,519

1965 4,769 6,059 6,193 1982 7,745 9,319 9,090 1999 12,775 14,578 14,302

1966 4,987 6,324 6,445 1983 7,843 9,541 9,510 2000 13,203 14,793 15,187

1967 4,743 6,004 6,195 1984 8,138 9,440 9,930 2001 13,633 15,638 15,009

1968 5,010 6,653 6,523 1985 8,288 9,616 9,798 2002 13,577 15,354 15,210

1969 5,682 7,212 7,137 1986 8,266 9,920 10,112 2003 13,757 15,272 15,717

1970 5,900 7,592 7,291 1987 8,592 10,148 10,293 2004 14,594 15,918 16,838

1971 5,941 7,404 7,296 1988 8,775 10,512 10,668 2005 14,922 16,572 16,674

1972 6,541 8,100 7,942 1989 9,084 10,908 11,081 2006 14,990 17,291 17,034

1973 6,915 8,544 8,740 1990 9,226 10,804 10,886 2007 15,483 17,933 18,196

1974 7,097 8,759 8,310 1991 9,372 10,686 10,563 2008 15,524 18,239 18,054

1975 6,735 8,187 7,445 1992 9,497 11,042 10,866 2009 15,903 18,270 18,088

1976 7,289 8,632 8,539 1993 9,553 11,249 10,992 2010 16,036 19,006 19,3642011p 16,035 19,650 19,885

ANNEX

World Copper Production and Usage, 1960-2011p Thousand Metric Tonnes

Source: ICSG

International Copper Study Group

Rua Almirante Barroso 38 – 6th

1000-013 Lisbon, Portugal

Tel: +351-21-351-3870 Fax: +351-21-352-4035

e-mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.icsg.org


Documents

2012 World Copper Factbook